October 14, 1939 – July 4, 2025

Marie Nesbit Hoyle was born on October 14, 1939, to the late Arthur and Elizabeth Nesbit, Sr. in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. As the seventh of thirteen children, she grew up in a vibrant, close-knit family and received her education in the Murrell's Inlet Public Schools, Murrell's Inlet, SC and later at Parkersville Public School in Pawley's Island, SC.

At seventeen, Marie embarked on a new chapter of her life, traveling to Winston-Salem to live with her brother Morgan "Buster" and his wife Virginia. There, she lovingly cared for Virginia's sister Betty Jean, demonstrating the nurturing spirit that would define her throughout her life.

It was at a little café on Patterson Avenue that destiny would unfold. Ray Hoyle, known as "Goodie," first spotted Marie and was so taken by her beauty that he told his brother Delafayette about "this pretty little dark-skinned girl at the café." When Delafayette saw Marie for himself, he was instantly smitten. He became a regular at the café, finding every excuse to see her. Marie eventually took him home to meet her family in Murrells Inlet, where Delafayette was so enchanted that his father had to journey to South Carolina to bring him back to Winston-Salem. Their love story culminated in marriage in 1959 when Marie was just eighteen and Delafayette was nineteen.

The young couple began their married life living with Delafayette's family on 7½ Street, where Marie graciously became a mother figure to all his siblings. By 1967, Marie and Dee had been blessed with five children and had moved to 9th Street. In 1969, a newly developed Easton Community, which was a part of the Housing Authority of Winston-Salem's urban renewal efforts, had its groundbreaking and The Hoyles became the first family to settle into their new home in 1970.

Throughout her years in Easton, Marie found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She was passionate about cooking, tending her garden, and nurturing her beloved flowers, earning her the endearing nickname "the Flower Lady" among her neighbors. Her home became a haven of beauty and warmth, reflecting her generous spirit.

Marie's faith was unwavering. As a lifelong member of United Metropolitan Baptist Church, she served with dedication on the Senior Usher Board, Senior Missionary Board, and Decorating Team. She prepared food baskets for those in need and was an active member of the F.A.C.T. Team, a Wednesday night Bible Study group where she helped prepare meals for fellow members. Her service in the Kitchen Ministry was legendary—everyone knew that Marie made the best dressing in the world. Even when health prevented her from attending regular services, her devotion never wavered as she continued to pay her tithes and take communion.

While Marie initially devoted herself to being a stay-at-home mother, she entered the workforce in the early 1970s, working at Holiday Inn, Royal Cake, and Gallos Plastic Company. In 1981, she discovered her calling in Food Services with Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools, where she served with distinction for twenty years until her retirement in 2001.

Above all, Marie treasured her marriage to Delafayette Sr., a love that endured for fifty-six beautiful years until his passing in 2015. She was also preceded in death by her beloved granddaughter Jessica in 2023, as well as her brothers Morgan, Arthur Jr., Andrew, Eugene, and William Nesbit, and her sisters Mattie Lee Gore, Elizabeth Nesbit, Ella Nesbit, and Ernestine Steele, and Aunt Arlene Nesbit Smalls.

Marie's legacy lives on through her surviving children: Delafayette Hoyle Jr. of the home, Laura Ann Hoyle, Terry Hoyle, and Kevin Hoyle (Violet), all of Virginia Beach, VA, Melissa Hogg (Jonathan) of Winston-Salem, NC, and Natasha Gambrell Trecroci (Paul) of Chicago, IL. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Kevin Hoyle II (Courtney) of Virginia Beach, VA, Candice Love Hoyle Tweedy (Justin) of San Antonio, TX, Angel Hogg Stressman (Brandon) of Raleigh, NC, and Summer Hogg of Kernersville, NC; her great-grandchildren, Imani, Kevin, III, and Kiana Hoyle will carry forward her loving spirit.

Her surviving siblings include James Nesbit, of Opa-Locka, FL, John Nesbit of Murrells Inlet, and Albert Edward Nesbit (Kamonia) of Fayetteville, NC. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Virginia Wofford (Benny), Arnette Ford, and Debra Hoyle of Winston-Salem, NC, and Patricia Hoyle of Augusta, GA; brothers-in-law, W.F. Muhammad of Winston-Salem, NC, and Keith Hoyle of Columbia, SC; her devoted niece, Pamala Hairston (Eric); and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends whose lives she touched with her kindness and grace.

Marie Nesbit Hoyle was a woman of extraordinary love, faith, and strength. She nurtured not only her own family but extended her maternal care to all who knew her. Her legacy blooms eternally in the hearts of those she loved and in the beautiful gardens she tended with such devotion. Like the flowers she so lovingly cultivated, her memory will continue to bring joy and beauty to all who were blessed to know her.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00pm Thursday, July 10, 2025 at United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12:00pm on Thursday at the Church.